Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 11: High Court today directed the Surveyor General of India to survey the Dal lake and examine all available maps, and place a report regarding the demarcation of the boundary of the lake.
After considering the submissions of Committee of Experts (CoE) and perusal of their 5th report, the Division Bench of Chief Justice Gita Mittal and Justice Tashi Rabstan directed the Surveyor General of India, to undertake a survey of the Dal lake and examine all available maps and place a report regarding the demarcation of the boundary of the Dal lake.
Such exercise, court said, shall be completed within four weeks from the date of receipt of copy of the order. The court fixed the responsibility of making maps available to Surveyor General of India on the Secretary Revenue within one week from the date of receipt of the order.
Court directed LAWDA to submit an inventory of the land owned by it to the Committee of Experts as well as measures which would be undertaken to protect the same. Further the State Government has been directed to formulate a proper policy for rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers.
Chief Secretary has been directed to examine the matter and place a report in this regard before the Committee of Experts at the earliest.
Department of Tourism as well as LAWDA have been directed to submit a report regarding the unregistered house boats on the Dal lake and the manner in which they would be removed.
“The State Government shall also examine the possibility of formally declaring the Dal lake area as an Eco Sensitive Zone under the provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986”, DB said.
On this issue the Secretary of the Department of Forest and Environment has been directed to place a report before the Committee of Experts within four weeks.
The Secretary Department of Tourism has further been directed to examine the suggestions of the Committee of Experts for developing the Dole Demb as a Tourist Centre. “All measures suggested by the Committee of Experts in this regard shall be seriously examined and report submitted to the Committee of Experts”, read the order.
Court after examining the report of the Committee, said, there have been three changes in the appointment of Vice Chairman LAWDA within last six months.
The work being undertaken by LAWDA is of extremely serious nature and it needs continuity in leadership of experienced and sufficient seniority to enable control over not only the organization but also ability to interact with other Government departments.
“We would, therefore, request the Chief Secretary to look into the matter of appointment of Vice Chairman, LAWDA, who would be an officer of sufficient seniority and experience on a continuous tenure”, DB said.
Court accepted the recommendations made by the Committee in its 5th Report and directed all the authorities to take prompt and expeditious steps to implement the same.
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